1. MANDATED REPORTING
ETOWAH HIGH SCHOOL

2. What is mandated reporting?
According to Georgia State Law (OCGA § ): The purpose of this Code section is to provide for the protection of children. It is intended that mandatory reporting will cause the protective services of the state to be brought to bear on the situation in an effort to prevent abuses, to protect and enhance the welfare of children, and to preserve family life wherever possible.

3. TOP 5 Reasons Children entered DFCS Custody (SFY2015):
Neglect 4,525
Drug Abuse 2,892
Inadequate Housing 1,906
Abandonment 1,011
Incarceration 1,004
11,551 was the approximate number of children in DFCS custody as of 9/30/15
843 children transitioned from state custody into adoptive families in 2015 (26 finalized adoptions in Cherokee County)

4. CHEROKEE COUNTY DFCS STATISTISTICS December 2016-November 2017
Maltreatment Reports – 2,222
Maltreatment Investigations – 720
Victim Reports – 104
Victim Reports of Neglect – 87
Victim Reports of Physical Abuse – 9
Victim Reports of Sexual Abuse – 8
Victims Removed to Foster Care – 54/104
Median Days from report to removal – 255

5. Cherokee Children Removed To Foster Care APRIL 2017-March 2018
Total Removals to Foster Care – 329
Average Monthly Removals – 27.4
Reentries to Foster Care – 56/329
Removals for Neglect – 130
Removals for Caretaker Substance Abuse – 171
Removals for Physical Abuse – 30
Removals for Caretaker Inability to Cope – 19
Removals for Inadequate Housing – 59
Removals for Incarceration – 32
Removals for Child Behavior – 43
Removals for Abandonment – 9
Removals for Sexual Abuse – 5
Discharged within 1 month of removal – 39/283
rokee/

6. Etowah and mandated reporting: (OCGA § 19-7-5)
EHS had 44 mandated reporting incidents in
Concerns most often reported:
Negligence (Food, Clothing, Shelter)
Mental or emotional abuse at home
Possible physical abuse
Caretaker Substance Abuse

7. What does the mandated reporter law require? (OCGA § 19-7-5)
The following concerns must be reported to an administrator or counselor:
Physical abuse concerns
Sexual abuse concerns
Neglect concerns
Emotional concerns
Any concerns must be reported immediately but within 24 hours to an administrator or counselor.

8. Who is required to be a mandated reporter?
All school employees regardless of position or responsibilities
All community coaches
All club sponsors who are community volunteers
All community volunteers and parents who participate in a group/organization
This includes those who volunteer for day trips or to help out in the classroom
Anyone who provides any service to students (trainer, shelter, or other)

9. Protecting the reporter
You are required by law to report any potential case of abuse or neglect you believe is occurring in good faith.
You must have reasonable suspicion that a student is subject to abuse.
You have qualified immunity from prosecution or legal action if you report such issues in good faith.
You will remain anonymous to the student and the family of the student reported.
Failure to report suspected cases of child abuse/neglect can result in being charges with a misdemeanor and disciplinary action relative to professionalism and communication.

10. Four Major Categories of abuse
Physical Abuse-non-accidental physical injury to a student
Negligence- failure to provide for a child’s basic needs. Includes but is not limited to:
Lack of adequate food, shelter, clothing, or medical care
Not meeting emotional or physiological needs
Educational/cognitive neglect
Lack of supervision
Sexual Abuse-exploitation of a child for sexual gratification of an adult or older child
Emotional Abuse-excessive/aggressive behavior that places unreasonable demands on a child
Four Major Categories of abuse

11. Physical Abuse Type of Abuse Physical Indicators Behavioral Indicators
Physical Abuse-non-accidental physical injury to a student
Unexplained bruises and/or welts:
On face or body
Various stages of healing
Clustered
Belt or electrical cord imprint
Appear after absences frequently
Cigar or cigarette burns
Unexplained or poorly explained injuries
Feels deserving of punishment
Wary of contact with adults
Afraid of parents or home
Reports injury by parents
Self-destructive behavior
Withdrawn or behavioral extremes
Uncomfortable with contact
Wears clothing inappropriate for the weather to cover bruises

12. Neglect Type of Abuse Physical Indicators Behavioral Indicators
Negligence-includes but is not limited to:
Lack of adequate food, shelter, clothing, or medical care
Not meeting emotional or physiological needs
Educational/cognitive neglect
Lack of supervision
Consistent hunger
Poor hygiene
Inappropriate dress
Consistent lack of supervision
Unattended medical or physical needs
Underweight
Poor growth pattern
Failure to thrive
Lice, distended stomach, emaciation
Self-destructive behavior
Stealing or begging for food
Extended stay at school
Constant fatigue
Assuming adult concerns/responsibilities
States there is no caretaker
Frequently absent or tardy

13. Sexual abuse Type of Abuse Physical Indicators Behavioral Indicators
Sexual Abuse-exploitation of a child for sexual gratification of an adult or older child
Difficulty walking or sitting
Torn, stained, or bloody clothing
Pain, swelling, itching in genital area
Painful urination
Bleeding, bruises or lacerations on the genital area
Presence of STD
Frequent urinary or yeast infection
Inappropriate sex play or advances sexual knowledge
Lack of emotional control
Sudden school difficulties
Withdrawn/depressed
Excessive worry about siblings
Difficult peer relationships
Self-imposed social isolation
Avoid physical contact or close proximity
Sudden weight change

14. emotional Type of Abuse Physical Indicators Behavioral Indicators
Emotional Abuse-excessive/aggressive behavior that places unreasonable demands on a child
Speech or other communicative disorders
Delayed physical development
Exacerbation of existing medical conditions
Substance abuse
Speech or communicative disorders (thumb sucking)
Anti-social or destructive behavior
Neurotic activity (sleep disorder)
Behavioral extremes (within close proximity)
Developmental delay

15. Types of disclosure
Students will often use indirect methods of reporting or reaching out. Some examples include:
Indirect hints: “I don’t like when my uncle comes over”
Disguised disclosure: “I know someone who is being beaten at home”
Disclosure with caveats: “I have a serious problem, but if I tell you, please promise you won’t tell anyone
Reaching out via proxy: Use of a friend or social media to reach out for help

16. Best practices in recognizing abuse
Know your students! Strong relationships and understanding with your students enable detection faster
Know
Maintain vigilance for warning signs
Vigilance
Listen and engage students who show worry over peers who may be abused. Get those names to counseling or admin
Listen and engage

17. Who do I report to?
During the school day report any concerns to the counseling office or any administrator.
After school, contact an administrator using the following number (DO NOT SHARE)
Mr. Justin Sanderson:
Mr. Brett Pinckard:
Ms. Jennifer Jones:
Mr. Ken Nix:
Ms. Cassandra Mathious: